California
Genesee Black Oak Partnership Project
Mt. Hough Ranger District implements Genesee Black Oak partnership project with the Mule Deer Foundation.
By George C. Garcia, Wildlife, Fish & Rare Plants Program Manager, Plumas National Forest
Plumas Hot Shots at work thinning Black Oak
stands within the Genesee Project.
Genesee-Jura Oak/GAFR Improvement project –
September, 2008.
Plumas Hot Shots cutting overmature silktassel.
Silktassel will re-sprout creating more desirable
and
nutritious forage for deer.
Both black oak (Quercus kelloggii) and silktassel (Garryea fremontii) are very important food sources for Mule Deer and Black-tailed Deer on the Plumas National Forest. Deer use acorns produced by black oak as a nutritious supplement for late fall and winter forage; mature oak woodlands also provide habitat for resting and hiding cover. Overcrowding of small, dense oak in the understory, impedes oak growth and acorn production by competing for available nutrients, water and sunlight.
Silktassel is the preferred staple winter browse species on deer winter range for the Sloat Deer herd. Within the Genesee Valley area existing silktassel plants are overmature and being shaded out by the conifer and oak vegetation, declining in health, palatability and availability. The Plumas National Forest and the Mule Deer Foundation recognized the importance of healthy black oak habitat and availability of silktassel to mule deer, and in 2008, decided to join forces to improve 12 acres of habitat.
Project Accomplishments
The Genesee/Jura black oak and silktassel improvement project treated 12 acres of deer winter range in previously thinned conifer-oak habitat by removing excess black oak understory up to 6” in diameter, as well as hand cutting the overmature silktassel plants. Reducing the number of small stemmed oaks frees-up remaining larger oaks to allow for faster growth and acorn production due to less competition for growing space, water, sunlight and soil nutrients. Cutting the silktassel will result in renewed growth and vigor of the plants through sprouting. Post treatment photos show the oak habitat with less small diameter trees. All worked was conducted by the highly efficient Plumas Hot Shots!
The Genesee/Jura black oak and silktassel improvement project was a successful partnership project between the Mule Deer Foundation and the Mount Hough Ranger District of the Plumas National Forest.
For more info visit www.fs.fed.us/r5/plumas/partnerships/wfrp/genesee_black_oak/.